Campaign to Revoke Telkom's Proudly South African Membership

[jamieb]

As you may know Telkom is a founding member of Proudly SA.

I've submitted a letter in protest to their continuing membership.

Write to applications@proudlysa.co.za to voice your concern.

[DVDA]

What an excellent idea. I doubt anything will come of it unless we get the media involved, but I'll definitely submit mine.


Proudly South African is an exciting campaign to promote South African companies, products and services which are helping to create jobs and economic growth in our country.

Supported by organized labour, organized business, government and community organizations, Proudly South African is the way for every South African to do something concrete to support job creation, and help build our young nation.

At the heart of the campaign is the Proudly South African logo. Companies who meet the standards set by Proudly South African can use the logo to identify themselves, their products and services.

Telkom is guilty on 3 counts right there!

[musan]

what do we put in the email to link it to your Campaign ?

[jamieb]

yeah, you're right this is good idea. we need to formalize it a bit. give me a few days to come up with a standard email that can be forwarded to proudly south african. any other ideas how we could make this effective? obviously, we need publicity. how about a chain letter?

[eye_suc]

i will FORCE everybody at the office to send one! Telkom must fall!

[an3s]

Telkom does support South Africa, by sponsoring teams and basically just marketing themselves more. Telkom is in a position to do this country a S**Tload of good, but for some strange reason, Telkom doesn't.

We need mass action for this one.

[stoke]

I'm in, and will also FORCE the office to comply.

[DVDA]

What are rpm and the other moderators thoughts on this? It would be necessary to have a calculated and united myadsl campaign if this to work.

[malec]

lets do it

[jamieb]

Yeah.. RPM... do you think this will contribute to the cause?

[rpm]

Hi guys

I think the idea to put additional pressure on Telkom is great, but this route has been tried before (unsuccessfully). Telkom was a founding member of Proudly South African and it is highly unlikely that anything will be done about its status as proudly SA… Finances also start to play a role (if they continue to bankroll PSA it takes a particularly noble man to discontinue their membership) which complicates matters further.

Having said the above, another shot at it can not do any harm. I think a good start is for one or more members to send emails and publish the response. It will give us all an idea about PSA’s position.

Regards,

RPM

[kaspaas]

The best would be to discredit "Proudly South African"

Tell everybody: How does one become a member of PSA? You pay for it! That is the only reason why Telkom can boast PSA status.

Start telling everybody that you are ashamed of being South African, because drivel like Telkom is allowed to claim it is proud to be so. Use the press! Write letters to the papers etc.

Write to the CEO's of other member comapnies telling them that it is disgusting that they associate with Telkom via PSA

[BTTB]

I can confirm with RPM that this route has been taken.
PSA are aware of Telkom’s position. I doubt if they will ever take steps against them for various reasons. Remember PSA has a set of criteria:

The criteria which must be met before the logo can be used are:

1. The company's products or services must incur at least 50% of their production costs, including labour, in South Africa, and be "substantially transformed" (in other words a product that is merely imported and re-packaged would not be eligible).
2. The company and its products or services must meet high quality standards.
3. The company must be committed to fair labour and employment practices.
4. The company must be committed to sound environmental standards.
Source: PSA (http://www.proudlysa.co.za/)

What I can is this.
If companies like Telkom can use the PSA Logo and all the evidence points that the South African Public is been given a raw deal by them, it inevitably will lead to the discredit of PSA. Consumers will not take the PSA Logo seriously and I believe this is the biggest damage to PSA.

[musan]

one more shot is a good thing, maybe we could write a few to the papers ? i saw the argus had a bit about telkom resently maybe they want to here from those who hate it the most ?

a mailed letter always has so much more impact then a email, mostly becose it can be singed. maybe we could make a standard letter that we can all print out and mail in. some things you may or may not want to include in it would be name, address and id number. if it does make a impact they may want to contact the senders of the compaits for more input.

ether way i will send it !

[jamieb]

Yeah... we could give it another shot. We've got to keep hammering on the door until it breaks down. If we could get some press coverage on this, that will be enough to send a clear message out there.

[MaD]

ProudlySA is a waste of time. Period.

[eye_suc]

Erm, so should we try and screw them over? I dont want them around, just like i dont want the traffic light beggars around. (Have you scared your local beggar/robber today?)

[stoke]

Should we try to screw them over ? Maybee I'm a bit confused as to whom is screwing whom, but I don't think so.

The bottom line is that every tim I see a PSA logo, I go yeeegh, and that's wrong.

[rebel]

Send me a freakin chain letter so I can distribute.

Telkom must go!!!

[Darke]

As rpm and others have stated, this has been tried before. Which does not mean that it should not be tried again, although perhaps it should be combined with other actions simultaneously. Its easy for Telkom to ignore a few complaints or use their leverage (money) with PSA to belittle any small petition. A mass assault on them, using media, petitions, letters. etc against not just one, but highlighting many of their 'faults', is another story. We have members of this Forum currently engaged in legal actions against Telkom, Sentech and I-Burst through the ASA and various other bodies. I would propose a joint MyADSL assault, letters, petitions, court cases and or ASA hearings, replies etc are more likely to interest the media if there are a lot of complaints, more = bigger story. It would just require communication and organisation/feedback from the members here.

[IceQB]

We should have a single email/letter drawn up which we can distro against PSA!!!
Even send to most of the big locl newspapers, to get more publicity on this!!
TelSKUM have gotten away with toooooo much!!!!
My isdn account is sky high every month, & they can even upgrade my nearest exchange till 2007!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[nocilah]

i'm in..

[bwana]

Count me in too.

[musan]

feverdj, so you dont like them, then ?

[Ghatto]

What I can is this.
If companies like Telkom can use the PSA Logo and all the evidence points that the South African Public is been given a raw deal by them, it inevitably will lead to the discredit of PSA. Consumers will not take the PSA Logo seriously and I believe this is the biggest damage to PSA.

I believe that the PSA has allready been discredited as there's more than one founding member of PSA that's given the public or their own employees a raw deal. It's just another scheme to enrich a few individuals.

[stoke]

Ghatto - you got more details ?
We just want to feel proud when we see the logo.
Currently it makes us angry, and it's a mockery.
I'll add another comapny to the hate list with the greatest of ease - who izzit ?

[Clipse]

PSA has allways mean 2 things to me:

1.) Some low budget craft market deal, charging you the world for something worth R20

2.) Telkom and companies alike.


Its a huge joke, and apparently we not laughing hard enough yet.

[playkiller no.2]

Proudly Greedy is what they are.

[eye_suc]

So its impossible to completely rid SA of PSA? What a sad case. Another rip off aimed at generating money for people who do not want to work

[Ghatto]

Stokes, this other company does not deal with the public, but they are treating their employees like a bunch of brainless apes. Very proud to pronounce to the world that they are a founder member of PSA - PetroSa (previously known as Mossgas). There's only a few top bras that enjoy financial benefit while the workers get less pay every month. If this is the way that a PSA company operates (Telkom included) then I'm not at all proud to be a South African and even less proud to associated with any of these companies.

[stoke]

Thanks Ghatto - FEED THE FIRES !!! *looks up PetroSA in Google*

[kilps]

I tried to email them a while back to ask for teh procedure for complaining about a company (i didn't even mention telkom) - still waiting for a reply - maby i should try again

I think this could be a hugely successful media frezy with regard to undermining telkom - so long as the media get hooked both hellkom and myadsl would be triving

I think is definitly worth a try

[MaD]

Don't hold your breath for an email from them you might go blue.

I mailed them twice - the second mail they said they never got the first mail cos of probs with their mail server. The next day I got a reply to the first mail.

How dof.. 'click click, people!'

[kilps]

Out of interest what did they say?

[IceQB]

feverdj, so you dont like them, then ?

How'd u guess!!!!!

[Debbie]

Please excuse my ignorence, but why exact are so many people opposed to PSA? What is it about PSA? It can't be the premise on which they are based....????

[Darke]

I think that as far as the PSA goes its initial intention was good, that said 'the road to hell is paved with good intentions'. The point here being that having a Proudly South African Group of Companies with the best interests of South Africa and all its people should mean a lot to us all. It doesn't simply because the entire idea has been perverted to suit the Monopolies such as Telkom and others who by their actions certainly do not have SA's best interests in their greedy little hearts. It has just become another form of marketing and PR smoke and mirrors to hide their greed.

[VQuest]

Agreed. The idea behind PSA is great. But Telkom has proved they are not proudly South African. So for Telkom to be a member - discredits the whole reason for having PSA. And if PSA will not be bothered to look into complaints against a company - that means Telkom actually paid their way onto the list - and that discredits PSA even further. Our previous complaint to PSA might have been ignored, but there is no reason why we should not try again. Especially now with our ICASA complaint putting Telkom in the hot-seat. PSA members should lead by example, not try to rip the country off at every turn.

[mancombseepgood]

This begs the question - is the idea behind PSA really what it's supposed to be? Who's fault is it really that people like Telkom get to use the logo... no checks and balances to stay in the fold...
Just like who's fault is it that Telkom are a monopoly... theirs? Governments? Hmmm...
Who's fault is it that ICASA is toothless?

ICASA looks like an `oh we're so accountable and transparent' tool for the government... until you try using them to challenge the status quo...

Like the advertising standards authority ads you see on TV... `if you feel that anything is obscene, contains explicit or offensive content, etc... write to us...'... those with kids understand that there is more than enough to write to them about... but does anything get done?

It seems that whenever something doesn't suit someone in goverment, the constitution just gets changed... These descisions are made by individuals... who cares what the voting public think...

Floor crossing comes to mind... Who cares which party the public voted in (most people I know vote for a party and a set of ethics, etc., NOT an individual), so when that individual defects, they take the votes meant for their previous party with them...

While I'm having a rant, check this out... you may not agree with all of it, but it is interesting reading and provokes a few thoughts... like what happens when an individual gets to steer the entire country... irrespective of the voting public and constitution...

http://www.safamily.co.za/newsletter_dob?mode=content&id=24292

By the way, I am aware that this article is off the topic a bit, so I'm not trying to open a new discussion here... I'm merely using it to illustrate a principle which seems to be more and more prevalent - a bit like the PSA issue... as Darke said "It has just become another form of marketing and PR smoke and mirrors to hide their greed."
Maybe not in all cases, but I'm beginning to feel more and more that it's a global society we live in - if I can get it cheaper and better from another country, why not - especially if my money is sinmply going to improve the lives of the elite and not the general public (by buying PSA)!

[BTTB]

I like your train of thought Ed. ;)

My wife and I just had a chat about this topic. What the PSA should represent etc.

What could the PSA Logo have done for the Clothing Industry in the Western Cape, for instance?
Rex Trueform has just closed its doors and 3000 people are now without jobs. Despite attempts by the Premier, Ibrahim Rasool, Rex Trueform has thrown in the towel.
Without pointing fingers at anyone. What did politicians do to help the Clothing Industry? All these mechanisms in place, but it failed to save the Clothing Industry in South Africa. Several Hundred Thousand people have been laid off over he last few years.
The government could have stepped in long ago to help the ailing Industry. The PSA Logo could have helped this endeavour. A massive advertising campaign to show the public that when they see clothing in the shops with the PSA Logo, they are supporting the local industry.
It's always too little too late.

[Rex]

Tim Modise on 702 & 567 Cape Talk is chairman of PSA. Maybe we should ask him directly - lets all phone in on Monday at the same time.

[squ3al]

It doesnt matter if a campaign against Telkom's membership of PSA succeeds, what is a more important is to raise awareness that Telkom is the devil and needs to be booted out of the country, never mind the PSA.

There are too many sheep that blindly pay their Telkom bill without realizing that Its NOT normal to pay so much for simple telecoms and that something CAN be done about it.If we can raise awareness by saying that Telkom does not belong on anything that uses Proudly and South Africa in the same sentence them we must go for it.

A chain letter is a great start. Let it begin..

[kilps]

Well getting Telkom kicked out of PSA would give the media a feild day - something we need

[MaD]

OK here is the one mail I sent to ProudlySA last year:
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Hi,

Would you please be able to tell me why a company that:
1. fires 10% of their people a year
2. is run by Americans
3. is on average 68% more expensive than any other communications company on the planet
4. has a telephone service so expensive less than 1% of the population can afford it
5. disconnected 1,075,000 phones in 2002 and 1,016,000 in 2003

is able to be Proudly South African? I was under the impression Proudly is an 'organisation established to create jobs, increase demand for South African products and services and encourage companies to improve their quality and competitiveness'. Telkom is hardly creating jobs, but in fact has HALVED their work force in just under four years, they are simply contributing to unemployment and increased customer dissatisfaction due to the high number of staff-to-fixed line ratio.

I won't harp on about the situation, but I am planning a survey in conjunction with some colleagues whereby we phone companies who are Proudly South African and ask them a few questions:
1) Are you aware Telkom is also 'Proudly' South African?
2) Did you know their profit was R4,3 billion this year?
3) Did you know that we are the most expensive country in the world for telecommunications?
4) Did you know that a permanent internet connection here we pay R1,000 a month for you get more in the UK for 22 pounds?
5) Checking your e-mail 10 times a day for 10 minutes Monday to Friday will cost you R1,050 a month?
6) Did you know over 90% of the country cannot afford a land line because it's too expensive?
7) Did you know they have halved their workforce from 60,000 to 30,000 and are firing 10% a year more for the next 3 years?
8) Did you know Telkom has poured over R8 million into PSA?

Then they will be asked if they think it's fair and reasonable that Telkom is a Proudly South African brand, and whether they think it reflects poorly on their company having Telkom with PSA accreditation.

It should be very interesting, because from where I am it seems you are turning a blind eye in return for money. Telkom is the least Proudly South African company there ever was, and having them under the PSA umbrella certainly makes one wonder what the point of it all is if they are allowed to use the logo. Is it all about money, or do you truly believe they deserve to be able to use the PSA logo??

Best,
Gregg

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Their reply:
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Dear Greg

Please see the response in relation to your concerns/questions regarding Telkom.

Thanks and kind regards

Zweli Mnisi
Media Executive
Proudly South African
Tel: (011) 327 7778
Fax: (011) 327 3844
Cell: 084 429 0933
Email: zweli@psanet.co.za


TELKOM'S RESPONSE TO COMPLAINTS VIA OCTAGON, ON BEHALF OF PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN

Proudly South African



In order for a company to wear the Proudly South African badge, they need to meet the following criteria as stipulated by Proudly South

African:

1. The company's products or services must incur at least 50% of their production costs, including labour, in South Africa, and be "substantially transformed" (in other words a product that is merely imported and re-packaged would not be eligible).

2. The company and its products or services must meet high quality standards.

3. The company must be committed to fair labour and employment practices.

4. The company must be committed to sound environmental standards.

Telkom is proud to have met these standards and thus, wears its Proudly South African badge with honour

In addition to its status as one of the Proudly South companies, Telkom is one of the founding sponsors of the Proudly South African campaign.



Retrenchments

The development of new technologies that Telkom has employed in order to provide a world-class telecommunications services, necessitated a shift in the skills set of the employees required.

However, Telkom has embarked on a socially responsible approach to the reskilling of employees. Its Agency for Career Opportunities allows employees to acquire new skills, within a year, and assists them to find employment both within the company, or externally. During the year (ending 31 March 2003), only 3.6% of the 8.5% staff losses were due to involuntary retrenchments.

Telkom aims to reduce employee headcount by 7% to 10% annually, including natural attrition.



Run by South Africans

Telkom's Board of Directors currently comprises 7 South Africans, 2 Americans and 2 Malaysians.

Telkom's executive management comprises 4 South Africans, 1 American and 1 Malaysian.

The top management team, of 26 comprise of just 4 Americans, 1 Malaysian and 21 from South Africa.



Disconnections

Customers that do not pay for services, will have those services suspended - this is a sound business principle in any company. This is the case in Telkom as well. In order to assist people to manage their expenses, the company has introduced a pre-paid facility. As part of Telkom's licence obligations, the company must provide telephones in rural areas. However experience has shown that this is not always economically viable. In order to assist the communities, Telkom has installed a number of public telephones.

Tariffs

Earlier this year, UK based international pricing research body, Tarifica, found that Telkom's call rates are in fact highly competitive and amongst the most affordable in the world.

Tarifica is recognised by the International Telecommunications Union and is used by leading communications companies across the globe for benchmarking purposes. Tarifica's information is based on a mix of 26 developing and developed countries, including the UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and emerging market peers Argentina, Poland, Mexico and Hungary.

Telkom's local peak-time calling charges are cheaper than those of many countries including Ireland, Spain and the United Kingdom. Our local off-peak call charges for a three-minute call are the fourth cheapest of the 26 countries surveyed by Tarifica, costing less than the same call in Hungary, the United Kingdom, France, Sweden, Greece, Belgium and Spain. Telkom's residential and business rental charges were also below the average of 26 countries.

The rate for a 64kbit/s leased line over 25 km is amongst the most affordable of the countries surveyed by Tarifica, and compared to the mobile operators, Telkom's call charges still offer the best value-for-money in South Africa.

In addition, about 80 percent of Telkom's revenue is derived from services that are controlled through a tariff regime imposed by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA).

ICASA is currently reviewing the current tariff regime as part of its mandate to protect customers. Government is also reviewing current pricing structures for state-owned enterprises.

In accordance with the current tariff regulations, Telkom files its annual tariff regulations with ICASA. The formula implemented by ICASA is based on the year-to-year movement in the CPI, less a productivity factor of 1.5%.

Telkom will present its accounts using the COA/CAM (Chart of Accounts and Cost Allocation Manual) at the end of this month. The mechanism will report telecommunication costs and revenues, initially on an historic cost basis and later on a current cost basis.

Most of SA can afford a telephone service

Whether every household in South Africa has access to a direct telephone or not, Telkom cannot say. However, for the year ending 31 March 2004, Telkom reported

4 821 000 fixed lines.

The 2001 Census results, released in July 2003 reports that only 669 366 households have no access to a telephone. The majority of these households are located in South Africa's poorest province, the Eastern Cape (197 917) with KwaZulu Natal following (174 483). These households have no direct telephone access, either to a public phone, a neighbour with a telephone or a cell phone.

The 2001 Census report states that there are 11 205 700 households. This implies that 10 875 066 households have access to a telephone service.



Issued by

Roshelle Pillay

Telkom SA

Specialist, Media Relations

P: (012) 311 3304

F: (012) 311 5235

C: 082 552 0159

E: pillar12@telkom.co.za

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Trying to get any kind of sensible response is like trying to teach a plank to do the macarena.

[kilps]

What a joke

[Darke]

Its a sticky situation. Telkom fits the bill of a PSA company. Whether we may think that it is debatable, they can at least according to the criterion provided in the PSA mandate defend or argue their right to be a PSA company. That is wrong (in my humble (not) opinion), PSA is an idea, a concept and we (SA citizens) seem to understand what it SHOULD mean, they have designed a clever set of admission rules that make the idea abusable and indeed laughable. Me standing up and saying their presence in PSA is a load of bollocks, doesn't change anything. They meet most of the criteria (and can debate the rest). Why? as a founding member, I am sure that the 'rules' were carefully thought out to be just so ambiguous.

Telkom is a real power in SA and Africa, legalities aside, piss on their battery and they will/can hurt you, they own communications and thus control a vital aspect of everyday life. Then can tie up your telecoms with line problems, bandwidth, exchange faults that take weeks to repair etc, Fleets of legal sharks they can afford to hire using all that super profit they have made from us. Microsoft is known to throw money at problems/problematic customers that get in their way, here the situation is different. Why bother with the average complaining citizen or small business even large ones, they are nothing. Instead its easier to pay fines, or sponsor Government bodies or the 'independent' bodies that act as regulators.

That is the reality, they own and control us in a very real way. The only way to change this status quo is to make it not worth their while or governments. When the path of least resistance becomes COMPLYING with the wishes of the people of this great land, in providing service and products that WE want, only then will the status quo change. Hence why this forum and other concerned groups like this are 1000% more important than a toothless ICASA or government lip-service on the issue.

Which is why I feel that any (quasi-legal) action against our "problem" is justified and should be pursued by us. Letter campaigns, petitions, legal cases, submissions to hearings, etc. to media, gov, Telkom themselves about each and every issue, educating the public about what other countries consider their normal internet rights and stressing to the public over and over that you really don't have to be shafted ALL the time. Public apathy in SA is huge, we have to change that before we can force a change elsewhere.

These forums and these issues are a start toward what I think, all of us hope is a better SA for everyone. Attacking Telkoms (and other bullies) PSA status might not change it, but it will draw attention to the fact that there are some people is South Africa who won't be sheep, they won't fall into submissive category that Governments (and Telkoms) want.

[kilps]

I wonder if Telkom could be gotten rid of for bracking the 'vibe' of PSA - na, they would just come along with some fancy lawers to argue it

On the other hand why not change the criteria slightly?

[jamieb]

Well said Darke.

From a structural standpoint, the SA economy is highly concentrated. In nearly every industry sector, there are monopolies or oligopolies. This is hugely detrimental to both the consumer and our jobless citizens. Its time we consumers stood up and told those greedy corporation who is king.

[Darke]

They can be Kings in their own minds if thats what they wish. My history is failing me a bit, but in around 12th Century the King of England, King John was forced by his followers to the sign the Magna Carta. Which in effect removed his (and all following Kings) absolute power over his people. Thats what we are wanting, to remove this Sword of Damocles or Albatross called Telkom from hanging over our heads. Allowing us and others to decide who we wish to pay for a service because their service suits us better not being forced to pay one party because there is no other choice.


footnote: Google Rocks....

The Great Charter of English liberty granted (under considerable duress) by King John at Runnymede on June 15, 1215

[kilps]

Off topic: That must have been something for John to sign - I mean giving up all that power ... but he was proberly a medieval Telkom which is why he was forced to do it :p

[DragonLogos]

I had someone show me something they built locally, which looked and worked great, I said why not go for the proudly SA things... the reply was that they looked into it, but it would cost them a small fortune to get it.

So I said... OK just put a SA Flag and a made in SA under it.

It worries me that Telkom and the SABC are both PSA... What does it mean when they say the Devil looks after it's own.

It worries me that some countries can put other countries industries out of business, if you allow this to happen you might well find a few years down the line they can start charging what they want, other than the jobs that are lost. South Africa no longer make light bulbs, they are all 100% imported

Maybe someone should write to PSA and ask what are the procedures for removing someone from the PSA things.... and then look into it, though I would not be surprised if there was a Veto Vote or something

[Darke]

Off topic: That must have been something for John to sign - I mean giving up all that power ... but he was proberly a medieval Telkom which is why he was forced to do it :p


Exactly... Just as Telkom being forced to comply to free internet by ICASA (In my dreams) would hurt them.

[kilps]

In this senario we won't get free internet - the British monarach still reigns - I think that means so will Telkom - hang on - if we follow this line of though we get to having Telkom for the next ... next ... couple of centeries - and their is only one king/queen - somebosy help us :eek:

ok - the above was lame - so what?

[TheRoDent]

I blame Tim Modise. He worked for the SABC, and with his connections got all the big companies to signup for "Proudly South African".

Strangely, Tim doesn't work for the SABC anymore, and PSA is now a commercial venture.

Proudly South African (tm)

How the fsck can you trademark that? I am proudly South African. Can I tote those words? Hmmm, no prolly not. They'll slap another frigging lawsuit on me.

[rpm]

Hi TheRoDent

Agree fully! When something like PSA becomes a commercial venture the playing field changes completely. It becomes very difficult to disallow any members if their membership will mean higher profits. It now becomes more of a profit vs. PR game than a noble initiative to ensure that SA companies benefit from consumer support.

Regards,

RPM

[ScrnScrm]

Anyone see this?
Notice the absence of any awards going to Telkom...

The winners of the Homegrown Awards 2004

Company of the Year – National Brands
Retailer of the Year
- Galaxy & Co Manufacturing Jewellers
– Pick ‘n Pay
Employer of the Year – National Brands
Service of the Year – Karan Beef (Pty) Ltd
Product of the Year – G.U.D Filters
Exporter of the Year – No Award
Innovator of the Year – Mustek
Marketer of the Year – Irvine & Johnson Ltd
Bridging the Divide Award – Pick ‘n Pay
Proudly South African Employee of the Year – No Award

[guaranteed South African]

or you could join Guaranteed South African instead

[Connor]

The ONLY way we as OVER PAYING clients can get the like's of TELKOM, VODACOM etc etc, to bend over and take one where the sun dont shine is to hit them where it HURTS, in there POCKETS. If we ALL stand together and for ONE solid week do not use there services, and lets see how fast they change there tune. Without US they have no FUTURE, BUT we ALL have to stand UNITED. After all isn't THAT how we changed to the NEW and "PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN" SOUTH AFRICA?

[Ricard]

As you may know Telkom is a founding member of Proudly SA.

I've submitted a letter in protest to their continuing membership.

Write to applications@proudlysa.co.za to voice your concern.

I commend your dedication... but Telkom is basically the only founding company left in that dead shell called ProudlySA. Maybe start a movement to boycot PSA ... "Dont buy anything that is PSA endorsed" .. then the other companies might dump PSA :D

[jetpacman]

I blame Tim Modise. He worked for the SABC, and with his connections got all the big companies to signup for "Proudly South African".

Strangely, Tim doesn't work for the SABC anymore, and PSA is now a commercial venture.

Proudly South African (tm)

How the fsck can you trademark that? I am proudly South African. Can I tote those words? Hmmm, no prolly not. They'll slap another frigging lawsuit on me.

Amen. I would love to slap proudly south african on several of my things, but unfortunately I can't just do that

[Browser]

"Proudly South African" (tm) wouldn't be worth the used toilet paper someone could stamp it on.

Edit if Proudly South African (tm) is now a commercial (profiting) venture surely that voids any credibility it has, as the requirements would be to pay money rather than do good for South Africa.

I would love to see a front page article with details about how it's now profit driven and thus has no credability, if that is the case. Which would would no doubt hurt it's profits.

[AcidRaZor]

haven't read anything but Telkom is a founding member of the proudly south african brand so I doubt they'll be removed from it.

nothing has changed from primary/high school. the dad with the most money gets their kid to become prefect and head boy/girl

Thats just how the world works

[MailMan]

Proudly SA slogan highly questionable.

Appealing to flag and other emotions whereby nationalistic sentiments
should enhance,promote local products and services to be purchased
in stead of imported products is probably overall more hindering than
helping as in the back of the mind of the consumer will be firmly nestled a message of "inferior but local"

The above is not a statement or taken for granted but rather an invitation to comment.

The creation of a mean and lean locally designed, made , quality,
empowering, confidence as basic image would or should not be
carried by appeals to buy products out of solidarity and for what reason
Telkom is involved is a mystery to me as they have been by far the
biggest obstacle to the creation of a telecommunication infrastructure
which is by far the most effective way to provide access to information
and education which are 2 key factors to get things going.

Perhaps needless to say,but Telkom being 54 % stateowned is as good
as the owner allows them to be.

[MailMan]

Proudly SA slogan highly questionable.

Appealing to flag and other emotions whereby nationalistic sentiments
should enhance,promote local products and services to be purchased
in stead of imported products is probably overall more hindering than
helping as in the back of the mind of the consumer will be firmly nestled a message of "inferior but local"

The above is not a statement or taken for granted but rather an invitation to comment.

The creation of a mean and lean locally designed, made , quality,
empowering, confidence as basic image would or should not be
carried by appeals to buy products out of solidarity and for what reason
Telkom is involved is a mystery to me as they have been by far the
biggest obstacle to the creation of a telecommunication infrastructure
which is by far the most effective way to provide access to information
and education which are 2 key factors to get things going.

Perhaps needless to say,but Telkom being 54 % stateowned is as good
as the owner allows them to be.